Relax: MMA is legal but democracy still rules

Wednesday afternoon I received a call at the office from a man with a wicked South African accent, asking if I could provide a contact number for "Mixed Martial Arts."

Knowing what he wanted but taking his question at face value, I told him that I could also furnish him with phone numbers for "Hockey" and "Auto Racing." I had to stop myself from laughing but our friend wasn't amused and wouldn't hang up without some type of contact info, so I reluctantly provided the email address of the person I figured he was seeking.

Just another day in my life ever since the provincial government announced last Saturday that it would move to legalize professional mixed martial arts in Ontario. 
Just to clarify it for anyone still fuzzy on the issue, I don't work for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the Athletic Commission or anyone else in the world of professional MMA. But like everyone else even remotely connected with the sport I've received several calls from people who had scarcely heard of the sport before last week, but whose interest was aroused by last Saturday's announcement.

Some of them have been opportunists, folks looking for a way to do business with a cash cow like the UFC.

But most are simple citizens, enraged that the government would sanction such a brutal bloodsport and looking for a place to vent their disgust.

A few lucky folks already had a platform to express their displeasure with the Liberal government's decision. 

Wednesday my Star colleague Heather Mallick made plain her opinion that the prospect of making money for the government doesn't justify legalizing such a dangerous sport. And in NOW Magazine, Susan G. Cole makes an impassioned argument that MMA events are better left underground, and that government regulation of nearly-no-holds-barred fighting is a sign of the depravity into which we're all sinking.

Points taken, but this after-the-fact arguing over the pending legalization of MMA reminds me of the debate over gay marriage.

In both cases we see people well outside the scope of the legislation question railing against it simply because the rule change doesn't square with their values.

But at least gay marriage opponents fought against any official change in the definition of marriage from the beginning, opposing same-sex marriage legislation wherever it was proposed well before any laws were actually changed.

In contrast, MMA's adversaries in Toronto barely know what they're arguing against, and didn't decide they hated the sport until they realized it was legal. Otherwise they would have started speaking out against this move last week, last month or last year.

Or they would have at least spent some time reading up before speaking out. If you think the sport is called "THE mixed martial arts," or believe that MMA and UFC are synonyms, you need to do a little more research simply to qualify yourself to speak out against either one.

And if you're making a safety-based argument about why MMA is more dangerous than other combat/contact/collision sports, you should read up on the link between pro football and brain trauma. The info isn't hard to find, and no sense in avoiding it simply because it undermines your point. The truth is that football helmets make the sport more dangerous because they function not just as protective gear but as weapons. 

And the bigger truth is that boxing, hockey, football and MMA can all, over time, traumatize your brain. To single out MMA as the most dangerous sport among them is beyond arbitrary. It's like selling vodka but banning tequila.

But the point here isn't to provide a tutorial on the relative danger of the various bloodsports we support.

It's to lend direction to a debate that has strayed far from what's important.

And what's important is how the pending changes to Ontario's Athletics Control Act will affect our lives.

Reality check.

It won't. Unless you're one of the handful of people who a) works for the Athletic Commission, b) hopes to promote a show or c) is brave (or crazy) enough to throw punches for money, your life will not change.

Seems to me this whole debate has some people's brains so rattled that they no longer recognize the difference between the "legal" and "mandatory."

Let me clear it up.

While sending your kids to school is required, promoting or attending an MMA show in Toronto is merely permitted. 

Get it?

I'll put it another way.

If you believe same sex marriages are immoral and unnatural, don't engage in one. 

And if you hate the idea of legal mixed martial arts in Ontario, don't go to the show. It really is your choice. 

Last night I arrived in Boston, where MMA was legalized last year and where the UFC will debut on Aug 28, and half expected to see octagons erected in public parks, people grappling in the street, and Dana White and Deval Patrick standing side by side, strong-arming Bostonians into buying tickets for UFC 118.

 But none of that happened. Somehow, despite the legalization of MMA last December, Boston is pretty much the same place I visited last September. People here still say "wikkid" when they mean "very," "jimmies" when they mean "sprinkles," and "Linder" when they mean "Linda."

And like people in Ontario, Bostonians will attend the UFC's first event here because they want to, and anyone who isn't interested is free to ignore it.

Because Massachusetts, like Ontario, is a democracy and nothing can change that.

Not even the legalization of MMA.

So relax.

Comments

[Jean Jean]

I'm sorry, but comparing this to the gay marriage debate is absurd, notwithstanding the homo-erotic, hyper-masculine nature of MMA.

One is clearly a moral and human rights issue, and the other is a entertainment service not guaranteed under any of our laws or rights.

I'm not the hugest fan of the UFC and MMA in general, and would prefer it not to come to the province. Of course, I recognize that my viewpoint may not be shared with the majority of people, and acquiesce to the will of the populace, provided the decisions were made in an above board manner.

I'd expect that the author realizes we don't live in a pure democracy, and the problems that would present themselves if we did. The term "tyranny of the majority" is common parlance for a reason. If a simple majority sets the rules, then does anything that has 51% support be implemented or discouraged as a matter of policy? If that was the case, many of the rights we enjoy today would never have come to fruition.

That said, to compare the efforts committed couples have undertaken to share in the basic rights we all enjoy to a violent sideshow shows a great deal of poor judgement.

[Vancouverite MMA fan]

Thank you!!! Well written, well argued. I too am sick of misinformed people registering outrage over something they have the choice not to do or to see. I totally agree that other sports are just as dangerous or worse. When we here in Vancouver brought in the UFC it went off without a hitch. No fighting in the streets, no hooliganism. Just another well attended UFC event. I'm a petite Asian woman and there are plenty like me who love the sport. Hope I'm in Toronto when the UFC finally comes to town!

[Michael]

Agree with every word!

Heather Mallick should mind her own business!

Canada has more rules and restrictions than any other democratic country anyway...

[fgf]

You are absolutely right. The only people who hate the legalization of MMA are either religious freaks or left-wing nuts. Consenting individuals should be allowed to compete in what has proven to be a safer sport than boxing and football.

[Kristof]

With all due respect, I find this article to be completely off base. How can you compare same-sex marriage, an issue of civil rights and love to MMA, a for-profit sport? I completely agree that hockey, football and boxing see a large number of injuries, more than MMA. But I think most people are against MMA not because of it safety record but because of it over violent nature. I also totally disagree with your perspective that people who don’t like it should just be quite and look away. People have a right to express their opinion and yes, I did write letters to my MPP before a few months ago and asked them to heavily regulate or keep the ban on MMA in place. I personally am against the glorification of violence in all its forms. Be it movies, video games or blood sports like MMA.

[Morgan Campbell]

Jean Jean: We're actually on the same page here. As I wrote in a column earlier this week, legalizing MMA is an interesting development but its hardly historic, and I'd never try to frame an entertainment issue as a question of morality or human rights. You're right when you say the stakes are very different, but I never confused the legalization of MMA with, say, the integration of major league baseball. Still, the same principle guides the folks who oppose both developments, and the people most vocal are the ones least affected...seems a pretty direct parallel to me, regardless of what's at stake

[Doyen]

I get it. So we can make all sports legal, and just tell people who don't like it not to go? Those outside Windsor who were busted for cockfighting would like this. Hey, bullfighting sounds good too. What about greyhound racing?

Let's pitch all the rules, allow anything goes, and just tell people to vote with their wallets. Surely that's the most socially acceptable thing to do, right?

[Jdot]

Violence is part of nature, part of humans and a part of humanity. It should be regulated and it is.

Good stuff.

[Kristof]

"Violence is part of nature, part of humans and a part of humanity. It should be regulated and it is.Good stuff."
True, but violence shouldn’t be turned into profit making entertainment. Violence should always be an option of last resort. We as a society are becoming increasing desensitized to violence and gore. I respect MMA athletes for their abilities and discipline and I have nothing against people who are fans of MMA, people should have the choice to watch it if they want. But I believe the popularity of this sport is another example of our consequence free society.

[Joe]

I keep seeing people mention violence.... why the hell do you people care now considering both boxing and kickboxing are legal in Ontario, are just as violent, and have much worse injuries.

Right now these new protesters seem like they have nothing to do with their time and just now found something to go against.

[Girlygirl]

We won, you lost. Now all of you haters: shut up!

[Regan4000]

No, I'm sorry. Grown men beating each other to a pulp is not a progressive 'sport' for society to be viewing.

Other than the fear of death, how is this any different from Roman gladiators? Seriously, learn chess, read a book or go for a walk. Drinking and shouting at scantily clad muscle men wrapping their groins around each other's faces in order to 'choke him out', is just too absurd to be allowed into Ontarian culture.

[Conor]

Nicely done, not to mention that the tax angle is ridiculous.

Ok, so apparently the government will end up with 2% of the spoils. Ms. Malick says we could see six million in revenue from one fight (although apparently ticket sales account for only a quarter of that). That's a whopping $120,000... oh my lord, well that IS a windfall.....

Yeesh....

[Thane]

Is it okay if I'm against it because it's boring?

Boxing, at least, has motion, has drama. MMA, from what I've watched (and I've watched a few dozen bouts) is mostly five minutes of two people on the floor throwing half-punches at each other and waiting for a bell to ring. *yawn*

That said, its legalisation is a good thing.

[thebusinessman]

Let's all be a little intelligent here.

CONCUSSIONS, CONCUSSIONS, CONCUSSIONS.

Fighters got KNOCKED OUT at every single event. Multiple fighters.

The NFL and NHL talk openly about concussions. The UFC has never talked about it.

Do me a favour - next event, when Joe or Mike say he just got ROCKED replace it with he just got CONCUSSED.

[es]

people who complain about the "violence" of mma or "human cockfighting" have obviously not watched an actual match or are regurgitating second hand opinion - they see clips of it here and there and think they have it all figured out.

legalization = ontario athletic commission establishing and overseeing rules and guidelines = protection of athletes

no different than boxing or kickboxing, both of which are legal in the province.

do please make an effort to familiarize before making false assumptions and statements.

[es]

@ thane

there are lay and pray fighters and then there are actual jiu jitsu techniques - please don't confuse them.

[WizzaDavoz]

They don't put one guy that wants to fight, in the ring with a guy that's scared and doesn't want to fight. Both guys know both the inherent risks and the possibility for serious injury. Martial arts, in many many forms have been around longer than Canada itself.

People like to watch it, maybe some because it's perhaps violent - but to some that enjoy it, it's actually somewhat of an art form.

I disagree with violence ANYWHERE outside of a ring. But if 2 guys LOVE to go at it. I actually really respect the sport and enjoy watching.

What looks like sheer violence to one person is actually a very precise discipline to another. A discipline which is trained for incredibly, incredibly hard and takes tremendous dedication.

Boxing has been legal in this province for longer than i can remember. No one seems to complain much about that sport - but yet it has a record for head injuries and accidental deaths that far outweighs anything that's ever happened in MMA.

I don't like Justin Beiber - at all. To me, he's as offensive as violence is to a lot of people - but i don't lobby to make him illegal or to force him to cut his hair. I just don't listen to, or watch him perform. Simple.

[Sean]

"Fighters got KNOCKED OUT at every single event. Multiple fighters.

The NFL and NHL talk openly about concussions. The UFC has never talked about it."

This is the problem people posting things like this that aren't true at all, posting them as fact.

The UFC medically evaluates every fighter after taking a severe hit or a knockout. Almost every fighter who is knocked out is suspended from fighting for a duration by the severity of the knockout, usually from 6-12 months.

For all those other like this guy, stop making up whatever you want and posting it like its fact.

[Morgan Campbell]

Love the passion here guys and ladies, but let remind you that I CANNOT and WILL NOT approve any comments that include swear words or racial/ethnic/gender/homophobic foul language. Got it? Company's rules. Knees to the face -- fine. Hateful speech -- forbidden. Call it inconsistent but those are the rules. Please respect them.

[GenericID]

I can't stand entertainment news in all its forms and am totally convinced that it is harmful because it renders the user dumber than they were to begin with and deteriorates critical thinking abilities and also plays a large role in promoting a consumer culture. In my opinion society would be much better off if it was banned. On the other hand, other people enjoy it as a form of escapism. Good for them. I will CHOOSE to avoid it.

If you don't like MMA don't watch it. If you don't like cigarettes don't smoke. If you are against gay marriage don't marry someone of the same sex. Think McDonald's causes obesity and creates large volumes of trash? Eat grilled skinless chicken breasts.

My goodness, take care of your own little corner of the World and let other people be.

To paraphrase John Stewart - I was against gay marriage, until I found out it wasn't mandatory.

Of course if it was up to me we would ban pop music, country music, red lights, mushrooms, Sunday drivers, figure skating and project managers.

[Chris]

@Generic: I'd ban Habs Fans, Justin Bieber and Brett Farve.

[Deere5400]

I don't think he's comparing the issue of legalizing MMA in Ontario with legalizing gay marriage in the province. What he's comparing is where the opposition comes from, in which case I think he has a point. Opposition from MMA, much like opposition from gay marriage, came from people who don't really understand and aren't really affected by it. It's not a perfect comparison, but I think his point is valid: you should at least partially understand the issue before you rally against it.

[Raving mad]

@generic - good post! It seems that folks get all knotted up when they hear about something that is different, and that they don't quite understand. Many of the comments talk about MMA like it is a wild free for all where two unwilling participants are thrown into a cage and told to fight for their lives - with gladiator like repercussions for the losing participant. It is hardly that - first off it is an 'art' with two very skilled practitioners plying their trade, but I do agree with other posters who say it is pretty boring to watch a lot of the time, as more strategy is used in MMA (to protect oneself, and defeat an opponent with a well thought out plan, and executed technique) than in boxing or kickboxing - or for that matter any hockey fight that takes 20 seconds or less of flying fists. Now, if I could ban anything just because I didn't like what it represented for society, I would include 'Sex in the City', Business/Political Consultants, and the laws that ban foreign telecoms from setting up shop in Canada... and Bell Canada!!!

[Adam]

OK people, any person that argues against MMA and watches any other major sport other then golf is a hypocrite that is a fact that can not be denied.

Baseball, Hockey, Racing (including freakn bicycle racing),boxing, on and on and on are ALL potentially dangerous. So unless you people start marching up and down the street to ban these sports as well your opinion is pretty much worthless.

Most people reading this probably have dangerous jobs why not ban those as well. Its crazy how quick we are in this country to make rules, people and jobs are fleeing our country all the time because it has become an over taxed nanny state this is just another example of the mind set the general public has been duped into.

You are free to make your own choices, whether to watch the sport or not to. The fighters are free to train and try to make a living off of it. Just as a crab fisherman is, which by the way is much more dangerous job then mma. Its time we grew up in this country, the adults still act like children needing all their decisions to be made for them with rules....disgusting..